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Monitoring Annual Trends in Abundance of Eelgrass (Zostera marina) at Izembek National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, 2018

Open-File Report 2019-1042
Prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
By:  and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20191042

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Abstract

A lagoon-wide, point-sampling survey of eelgrass (Zostera marina) abundance was conducted in Izembek Lagoon, Alaska, August 7–16, 2018, the ninth year of annual surveys (2007–11, 2015–18). Mean predicted aboveground biomass of eelgrass across 116 sampled points was 238 grams per square meter (g m-2) (95 percent confidence interval: 203–278 g m-2) in 2018, an increase of 240 percent from the previous year’s low estimate of 97 g m-2 (95 percent confidence interval: 78–120 g m-2). The increase marked the third year since 2015 where eelgrass biomass was above the long-term mean (158 g m-2). Eelgrass biomass was stable over the 9 years of this survey. A separate (transect) survey for eelgrass abundance at Grant Point-Old Boat Launch showed annual trends in eelgrass biomass similar to the lagoon-wide survey, but over a slightly longer time (2007–18). The estimates of above-average eelgrass biomass in Izembek Lagoon were likely influenced by relatively warm air temperatures and little or no ice in winter (air temperatures 2.7 degrees Celsius greater than the 12-year mean) and average (cool) air temperatures during the growing season (April–August) in 2018.

Suggested Citation

Ward, D.H., and Amundson, C.L., 2019, Monitoring annual trends in abundance of eelgrass (Zostera marina) at Izembek National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, 2018: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2019-1042, 8 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20191042.

ISSN: 2331-1258 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Methods
  • Results and Discussion
  • Acknowledgements
  • References Cited
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Monitoring annual trends in abundance of eelgrass (Zostera marina) at Izembek National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, 2018
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 2019-1042
DOI 10.3133/ofr20191042
Year Published 2019
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Alaska Science Center Biology WTEB
Description iv, 8 p.
Country United States
State Alaska
Other Geospatial Izembek National Wildlife Refuge
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details